House (yay!)
US Infomercials dubbed in Hindi
Movies on HBO - they remove swearing, drugs, nudity and kissing. American Gangster was about 40 minutes long.
The Daily Show...shown on CNN.
Instructional Yoga. Taught by two British women. In the country were yoga is from...
News in Spanish...I understand more Spanish than Hindi.
Jon & Kate + Eight is just starting...oh the drama this country is in for. I wonder if Ed Hardy translates the same in Hindi ;)
What I watch on TV in India...
Friday, July 31, 2009
House (yay!)
US Infomercials dubbed in Hindi
Movies on HBO - they remove swearing, drugs, nudity and kissing. American Gangster was about 40 minutes long.
The Daily Show...shown on CNN.
Instructional Yoga. Taught by two British women. In the country were yoga is from...
News in Spanish...I understand more Spanish than Hindi.
Jon & Kate + Eight is just starting...oh the drama this country is in for. I wonder if Ed Hardy translates the same in Hindi ;)
Tim commented about Steve Miller Band playing in the background of a previous video. The music up here is pretty good - sometimes I wonder if they are just playing music off my iPod.
Yesterday was Stellar Service. I love facilitating Stellar, and at the end of the day, I am wiped out.
This weekend, we are planning on shopping and relaxing. I'm sure I'll have more time to update you guys this weekend.
Friday Morning
Tim commented about Steve Miller Band playing in the background of a previous video. The music up here is pretty good - sometimes I wonder if they are just playing music off my iPod.
Yesterday was Stellar Service. I love facilitating Stellar, and at the end of the day, I am wiped out.
This weekend, we are planning on shopping and relaxing. I'm sure I'll have more time to update you guys this weekend.
Okay! I was afraid that I would lose the videos again, so I decided to split this up a bit...so read the earlier post first!
The finale was "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire
They had a huge video screen behind the stage, and they would put videos of the audience up there...Whitney, Mark and I especially. We had our pictures taken a bunch, and Mark made fun of Whitney and I because we kept smiling anytime we saw a camera. The last thing I want is for a picture of me mid-sentence to be circulating the office! But the joke was on him when he wasn't paying attention and his was on the video screen looking confused! :)
I am proud to say the the ESC (my group) won Best Call Center! As the team ran up on stage, there were cheers and tears of happiness and so much excitement!
What I have written so far does not do justice to the event Sunday night. I can not begin to explain the excitement I witnessed. I have never seen that level of passion for our (or any other) company. The pride of the teams as they won awards for business results from the previous year - entire teams ran up on stage to accept the awards. Every group seemed genuinely happy for the other team as they won. There was equal excitement for winning Runner Up or 1st place. The original 14 executives who started the India location 10 years ago were emotional as they accepted awards. I wish I could bring that excitement back to the US!
The presentation wrapped about 11pm, and everyone took a break for dinner before coming back for the DJ and dancing. Whitney and I had to call it a night around 11, and we came back to the hotel.
The night was so far beyond my expectations...it was such a wonderful night!
Company Day Part 2
Monday, July 27, 2009
Okay! I was afraid that I would lose the videos again, so I decided to split this up a bit...so read the earlier post first!
The finale was "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire
They had a huge video screen behind the stage, and they would put videos of the audience up there...Whitney, Mark and I especially. We had our pictures taken a bunch, and Mark made fun of Whitney and I because we kept smiling anytime we saw a camera. The last thing I want is for a picture of me mid-sentence to be circulating the office! But the joke was on him when he wasn't paying attention and his was on the video screen looking confused! :)
I am proud to say the the ESC (my group) won Best Call Center! As the team ran up on stage, there were cheers and tears of happiness and so much excitement!
What I have written so far does not do justice to the event Sunday night. I can not begin to explain the excitement I witnessed. I have never seen that level of passion for our (or any other) company. The pride of the teams as they won awards for business results from the previous year - entire teams ran up on stage to accept the awards. Every group seemed genuinely happy for the other team as they won. There was equal excitement for winning Runner Up or 1st place. The original 14 executives who started the India location 10 years ago were emotional as they accepted awards. I wish I could bring that excitement back to the US!
The presentation wrapped about 11pm, and everyone took a break for dinner before coming back for the DJ and dancing. Whitney and I had to call it a night around 11, and we came back to the hotel.
The night was so far beyond my expectations...it was such a wonderful night!
Hey there!
Children from one of the schools that is supported by MIDAS, and associate driven program that provides supplies, volunteers and medical exams for local schools did a traditional dance performance that was beautiful.
Between different awards that were given, groups performed dances and songs that they had prepared. One group was a rock band made up of associates from our company. One of the lead singers is the training manager, Arun!
Associates came into work early and worked weekends to choreograph and rehearse their performances. Here is Aarthi's group dancing to "Boom Boom Pow"
More to come... :)
Okay- so I'm going to try to re-post pics and videos...we'll see how this goes!
Company day was simply amazing!
On our way to HITEC City (about 45 minutes from the hotel) we saw an company billboard featuring Farha from the ESC!
The event started at 3pm with a torch lighting event to kick off the celebration. When it was time to light the flame, they invited Whitney, Mark (both from Alpharetta) and I on stage to participate and say something. Nothing like an impromptu speech!
The first part of the event were booths set up by each business unit. COS' theme was a Travel Agency as a One Stop Shop for all your travel needs, in line with COS' One Stop Shop for HRBPO. Very clever! The time and attention to detail for each booth was amazing! Groups put in extra time and effort for months - and they even arrived to set up six hours early!
Some of the other themes were pottery, The Jackson 5, haunted house, Hollywood, Subway sandwich shop and Texas Automotive. We visited each booth, and I learned more about all of the Business Units in two hours than I have working here for 4 years.
One booth focused on I & Eye, a school for the visually impaired that is supported by our company. We saw demonstrations in writing in Braille, using a mobile phone (by touch and listening to the tones when pressing buttons), playing cricket, mathematics (without a calculator) and assembling computer hardware. I was so impressed and felt so lucky to meet such amazing kids.
After the booths, Radikah escorted us to the seats she had reserved for us in the performance hall for the main event. We were front row center! The stage and effects were impressive but I can't even begin to describe the energy in auditorium. 3,000 associates jumping and cheering waiting for the presentation to begin. You would have thought we were waiting for Sir Paul McCartney to take the stage.
Children from one of the schools that is supported by MIDAS, and associate driven program that provides supplies, volunteers and medical exams for local schools did a traditional dance performance that was beautiful.
Between different awards that were given, groups performed dances and songs that they had prepared. One group was a rock band made up of associates from our company. One of the lead singers is the training manager, Arun!
Associates came into work early and worked weekends to choreograph and rehearse their performances. Here is Aarthi's group dancing to "Boom Boom Pow"
More to come... :)
Company Day - Part 1
Hey there!
Children from one of the schools that is supported by MIDAS, and associate driven program that provides supplies, volunteers and medical exams for local schools did a traditional dance performance that was beautiful.
Between different awards that were given, groups performed dances and songs that they had prepared. One group was a rock band made up of associates from our company. One of the lead singers is the training manager, Arun!
Associates came into work early and worked weekends to choreograph and rehearse their performances. Here is Aarthi's group dancing to "Boom Boom Pow"
More to come... :)
Okay- so I'm going to try to re-post pics and videos...we'll see how this goes!
Company day was simply amazing!
On our way to HITEC City (about 45 minutes from the hotel) we saw an company billboard featuring Farha from the ESC!
The event started at 3pm with a torch lighting event to kick off the celebration. When it was time to light the flame, they invited Whitney, Mark (both from Alpharetta) and I on stage to participate and say something. Nothing like an impromptu speech!
The first part of the event were booths set up by each business unit. COS' theme was a Travel Agency as a One Stop Shop for all your travel needs, in line with COS' One Stop Shop for HRBPO. Very clever! The time and attention to detail for each booth was amazing! Groups put in extra time and effort for months - and they even arrived to set up six hours early!
Some of the other themes were pottery, The Jackson 5, haunted house, Hollywood, Subway sandwich shop and Texas Automotive. We visited each booth, and I learned more about all of the Business Units in two hours than I have working here for 4 years.
One booth focused on I & Eye, a school for the visually impaired that is supported by our company. We saw demonstrations in writing in Braille, using a mobile phone (by touch and listening to the tones when pressing buttons), playing cricket, mathematics (without a calculator) and assembling computer hardware. I was so impressed and felt so lucky to meet such amazing kids.
After the booths, Radikah escorted us to the seats she had reserved for us in the performance hall for the main event. We were front row center! The stage and effects were impressive but I can't even begin to describe the energy in auditorium. 3,000 associates jumping and cheering waiting for the presentation to begin. You would have thought we were waiting for Sir Paul McCartney to take the stage.
Children from one of the schools that is supported by MIDAS, and associate driven program that provides supplies, volunteers and medical exams for local schools did a traditional dance performance that was beautiful.
Between different awards that were given, groups performed dances and songs that they had prepared. One group was a rock band made up of associates from our company. One of the lead singers is the training manager, Arun!
Associates came into work early and worked weekends to choreograph and rehearse their performances. Here is Aarthi's group dancing to "Boom Boom Pow"
More to come... :)
After about 6 hours of sleep, I was wide awake this morning (8am central time). Whitney and I enjoyed breakfast at Okra again and we wanted to go shopping. We arranged for a driver from the hotel and headed out. We didn't know that the malls and most stores are closed on Sunday, but our driver did find one store he described as a Handicraft Store where we found pashminas, rugs and hand carved statues. We both made a few purchases - apparently "no" means "offer me a lower price" until eventually I said yes.
Today is Company Day and Sid will be picking us up around 2pm and the party goes until about 10. I'm sure I'll take a ton of pictures!
Love,
LC
Shopping...
Sunday, July 26, 2009
After about 6 hours of sleep, I was wide awake this morning (8am central time). Whitney and I enjoyed breakfast at Okra again and we wanted to go shopping. We arranged for a driver from the hotel and headed out. We didn't know that the malls and most stores are closed on Sunday, but our driver did find one store he described as a Handicraft Store where we found pashminas, rugs and hand carved statues. We both made a few purchases - apparently "no" means "offer me a lower price" until eventually I said yes.
Today is Company Day and Sid will be picking us up around 2pm and the party goes until about 10. I'm sure I'll take a ton of pictures!
Love,
LC
Our training class was early on Friday, so I got a chance to head back to the hotel a little earlier than normal. I was so thankful since I hadn't slept very well the night before. I got to bed early and woke up for breakfast with Whitney. We hung out in the executive center, took some pictures upstairs and talked business. Of course :)
Whit decided to take a nap, so I went down to the pool and took some video of the patio area. I was about to curl up at a cabana with my book (thanks Poge!) when I saw a lizard run behind the pillow. I'm sure it is no surprise that I freaked out and ran away. Quite the sight for the people dining in the restaurant, I'm sure.
I started reading my book from the safety of a deck chair, and decided to head back upstairs to check my email and stuff. I am so glad that we have today as a "down day" to get some rest. Tomorrow is Company Day near HITEC City, so expect to see lots of pictures and videos!
We are making plans for the upcoming weekends for shopping and touristy stuff. We want to go pearl shopping, clothes shopping and to the art gallery again. Plus visits to the marble temple or Golconda Fort.
The food so far has been amazing. Breakfast has been mostly American - scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, juice, etc. It is delicious - but not the same without my breakfast crew! Lunch at the office was cottage cheese (like tofu) curry with butter naan. Lets be honest, if you put butter on it there is a good chance I'll eat it - buttered carbs, I'll ask for seconds! The coffee is pretty good here. They have Coffee Day which is a chain like Starbucks. The downside is the size - the largest coffee here would be a small in the US.
I have to give a shout out to my mom - I am so proud that she figured out how to get to my blog and leave comments, all on her own! Love you Mom!
Friday & Saturday
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Our training class was early on Friday, so I got a chance to head back to the hotel a little earlier than normal. I was so thankful since I hadn't slept very well the night before. I got to bed early and woke up for breakfast with Whitney. We hung out in the executive center, took some pictures upstairs and talked business. Of course :)
Whit decided to take a nap, so I went down to the pool and took some video of the patio area. I was about to curl up at a cabana with my book (thanks Poge!) when I saw a lizard run behind the pillow. I'm sure it is no surprise that I freaked out and ran away. Quite the sight for the people dining in the restaurant, I'm sure.
I started reading my book from the safety of a deck chair, and decided to head back upstairs to check my email and stuff. I am so glad that we have today as a "down day" to get some rest. Tomorrow is Company Day near HITEC City, so expect to see lots of pictures and videos!
We are making plans for the upcoming weekends for shopping and touristy stuff. We want to go pearl shopping, clothes shopping and to the art gallery again. Plus visits to the marble temple or Golconda Fort.
The food so far has been amazing. Breakfast has been mostly American - scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, juice, etc. It is delicious - but not the same without my breakfast crew! Lunch at the office was cottage cheese (like tofu) curry with butter naan. Lets be honest, if you put butter on it there is a good chance I'll eat it - buttered carbs, I'll ask for seconds! The coffee is pretty good here. They have Coffee Day which is a chain like Starbucks. The downside is the size - the largest coffee here would be a small in the US.
I have to give a shout out to my mom - I am so proud that she figured out how to get to my blog and leave comments, all on her own! Love you Mom!
This morning, I had breakfast at Okra. I had a dosa which was like a potato creape and it was delicious. I enjoyed breakfast at Erin & I's usual table...and pouted because she isn't here. :(
Right now I'm hanging out in the executive center. It is pretty windy outside, Hussain Sagar Lake has small white caps.
Here is a tour of the executive center...and you get to meet Miss Whitney. Or shall I say, Mr. Whitney Wrona. :)
This Morning
Thursday, July 23, 2009
This morning, I had breakfast at Okra. I had a dosa which was like a potato creape and it was delicious. I enjoyed breakfast at Erin & I's usual table...and pouted because she isn't here. :(
Right now I'm hanging out in the executive center. It is pretty windy outside, Hussain Sagar Lake has small white caps.
Here is a tour of the executive center...and you get to meet Miss Whitney. Or shall I say, Mr. Whitney Wrona. :)
I am so happy that I got a chance to catch up with Whitney today. She will be working India days while I work US days, so we have a plan to meet up for breakfast when I get home from work, before she leaves.
She is one of the most kind, easy going people you could ever meet. She is a wonderful listener and I am so lucky to have her as a friend!
We have plans for shopping on Sunday and then we'll be at Company Day on Sunday! I hope to have pictures and video to share after the celebration.
Training starts tomorrow at 7am Central Time, so I will be heading to bed soon. Sid will be picking me up around 4pm India time.
I miss everyone, but I am so excited to see my friends in the office tomorrow!
Love,
LC
Time for bed...
I am so happy that I got a chance to catch up with Whitney today. She will be working India days while I work US days, so we have a plan to meet up for breakfast when I get home from work, before she leaves.
She is one of the most kind, easy going people you could ever meet. She is a wonderful listener and I am so lucky to have her as a friend!
We have plans for shopping on Sunday and then we'll be at Company Day on Sunday! I hope to have pictures and video to share after the celebration.
Training starts tomorrow at 7am Central Time, so I will be heading to bed soon. Sid will be picking me up around 4pm India time.
I miss everyone, but I am so excited to see my friends in the office tomorrow!
Love,
LC
Wow! the last 24 hours or so have been interesting! I flew from Des Moines to Chicago Tuesday night then I had an overnight flight from Chicago to London. I took some advil pm and slept through most of that long flight. The flight wasn't too full, I was on an aisle with an empty seat between me and the guy in the window seat. The guy across the aisle from me had 4 seats to himself which he used as his bed.
When I got to London, I had some coffee and went through security again. Security politely told me that the 20 oz Mountain Dew in my bag would not be allowed. Not the first time a beverage has been confiscated from me by airport security :)
I had a couple of hours in London, so I walked around Harrod's at the Airport and then took the train to my terminal. Once I got to the terminal, I had to request a seat assignment. I won the travel lottery - I was upgraded to Business Class! For free! I had more leg room (not that I needed it), a foot rest and free alcohol. The flight from London to Hyderabad was full. I slept a little and watched TV and movies. Both the entertainment and the food exceeded my expectations.
I arrived in Hyderabad around 4:40am local time and had to go through H1N1 (swine flu) screening. After I passed, I went through customs and then on to my baggage claim. An hour and a half later, I had my luggage and found my way outside. As expected, outside was packed. I quickly found the Marriott guy holding a sign with my name. This time, they had my name right :)
The trip from the airport to the hotel is about 90 minutes or so, and I got to see the progress on the fly-over. When the fly-over is complete, it should reduce the travel time in half.
My room this trip is just down the hall from my room last time, same layout. I stopped at the hotel restaurant Okra for breakfast (Its about 10am here) and now I'm sitting in the lounge. It is comforting to be somewhere familiar. But I wish Erin was here this time!!!
So now I'm going to kick back, relax and get to bed!
Love,
-LC
Made it here!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Wow! the last 24 hours or so have been interesting! I flew from Des Moines to Chicago Tuesday night then I had an overnight flight from Chicago to London. I took some advil pm and slept through most of that long flight. The flight wasn't too full, I was on an aisle with an empty seat between me and the guy in the window seat. The guy across the aisle from me had 4 seats to himself which he used as his bed.
When I got to London, I had some coffee and went through security again. Security politely told me that the 20 oz Mountain Dew in my bag would not be allowed. Not the first time a beverage has been confiscated from me by airport security :)
I had a couple of hours in London, so I walked around Harrod's at the Airport and then took the train to my terminal. Once I got to the terminal, I had to request a seat assignment. I won the travel lottery - I was upgraded to Business Class! For free! I had more leg room (not that I needed it), a foot rest and free alcohol. The flight from London to Hyderabad was full. I slept a little and watched TV and movies. Both the entertainment and the food exceeded my expectations.
I arrived in Hyderabad around 4:40am local time and had to go through H1N1 (swine flu) screening. After I passed, I went through customs and then on to my baggage claim. An hour and a half later, I had my luggage and found my way outside. As expected, outside was packed. I quickly found the Marriott guy holding a sign with my name. This time, they had my name right :)
The trip from the airport to the hotel is about 90 minutes or so, and I got to see the progress on the fly-over. When the fly-over is complete, it should reduce the travel time in half.
My room this trip is just down the hall from my room last time, same layout. I stopped at the hotel restaurant Okra for breakfast (Its about 10am here) and now I'm sitting in the lounge. It is comforting to be somewhere familiar. But I wish Erin was here this time!!!
So now I'm going to kick back, relax and get to bed!
Love,
-LC
I'm sitting at DSM International Airport right now. My mom and dad were able to drop me off, and I must say that I am very proud that neither my mom nor I cried. We are criers. And this trip will be long.
I'm sitting at gate C6, which feels too familiar. All of my flights to El Paso leave from this gate. The best part of sitting at the airport is people watching. I love to watch people and make up stories about their lives. Are they headed home? Leaving home for an adventure? Maybe they are taking their first flight? Or maybe they are sitting right next to me speaking on their phone so loud that the entire gate can hear his entire conversation. Okay, that last one wasn't made up. :)
I'm dressed in sweats and feeling a little under dressed. The gentleman across from me is sporting a tan houndstooth suit and a camouflage hat. Best dressed award will be a close call :)
at the airport
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
I'm sitting at DSM International Airport right now. My mom and dad were able to drop me off, and I must say that I am very proud that neither my mom nor I cried. We are criers. And this trip will be long.
I'm sitting at gate C6, which feels too familiar. All of my flights to El Paso leave from this gate. The best part of sitting at the airport is people watching. I love to watch people and make up stories about their lives. Are they headed home? Leaving home for an adventure? Maybe they are taking their first flight? Or maybe they are sitting right next to me speaking on their phone so loud that the entire gate can hear his entire conversation. Okay, that last one wasn't made up. :)
I'm dressed in sweats and feeling a little under dressed. The gentleman across from me is sporting a tan houndstooth suit and a camouflage hat. Best dressed award will be a close call :)
So in about twenty hours I will be flying from Des Moines to Chicago to London to Hyderabad. Am I packed? Of course not! I'm still working on laundry!
I have purchased everything I needed, and tomorrow I plan on sleeping in a little, stopping by the office before I leave. My flight leaves at 7pm. The flight from Chicago to London is an overnight flight, and then I'll have a couple hours in Heathrow Airport before a 9 hour flight to Hyderabad.
I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone in Hyderabad! And I'll be there for Company Day - a big company-wide anniversary party! I am also very fortunate that Whitney Wrona will also be in Hyderabad while I'm there!
-LC
Tomorrow...
Monday, July 20, 2009
So in about twenty hours I will be flying from Des Moines to Chicago to London to Hyderabad. Am I packed? Of course not! I'm still working on laundry!
I have purchased everything I needed, and tomorrow I plan on sleeping in a little, stopping by the office before I leave. My flight leaves at 7pm. The flight from Chicago to London is an overnight flight, and then I'll have a couple hours in Heathrow Airport before a 9 hour flight to Hyderabad.
I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone in Hyderabad! And I'll be there for Company Day - a big company-wide anniversary party! I am also very fortunate that Whitney Wrona will also be in Hyderabad while I'm there!
-LC
Only two weeks until I head to India. I am very excited, but I still have a lot to do. I'm waiting for my passport and visa to return from the consulate. Last time, I only had a one year visa which expired this week, so I had to renew it. My visa will allow me multiple entries over the next ten years.
When I travel away from home for longer periods of time, I tend to make lists of stuff that I miss. Okay - I make lists of the restaurants and food I have missed. I always miss AE milk and cottage cheese. Once, after being gone for six weeks, I stopped at QuickTrip on my way home from the airport to get some AE milk! I always miss my favorite lunch places like Palmers, Red Rossa, HuHot and breakfast from the cafeteria.
So - if you are reading this - leave a note in the comments where you think my first meal should be when I get home!
2 weeks!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Only two weeks until I head to India. I am very excited, but I still have a lot to do. I'm waiting for my passport and visa to return from the consulate. Last time, I only had a one year visa which expired this week, so I had to renew it. My visa will allow me multiple entries over the next ten years.
When I travel away from home for longer periods of time, I tend to make lists of stuff that I miss. Okay - I make lists of the restaurants and food I have missed. I always miss AE milk and cottage cheese. Once, after being gone for six weeks, I stopped at QuickTrip on my way home from the airport to get some AE milk! I always miss my favorite lunch places like Palmers, Red Rossa, HuHot and breakfast from the cafeteria.
So - if you are reading this - leave a note in the comments where you think my first meal should be when I get home!
Last time I went, I took a ton of pictures, but didn't do a very good job of keeping a log of what all I did. At the suggestion of several people, I decided to keep a blog for this trip.
Check back for updates...and this time - I promise not to get malaria!
Getting Ready
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Last time I went, I took a ton of pictures, but didn't do a very good job of keeping a log of what all I did. At the suggestion of several people, I decided to keep a blog for this trip.
Check back for updates...and this time - I promise not to get malaria!
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